PSY2031

Developmental and biological psychology ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Gavin Sullivan

Offered:
Caulfield First semester 2005 (Evening)
Clayton First semester 2005 (Day)
Clayton First semester 2005 (OCL)
Gippsland First semester 2005 (OCL)
Singapore First semester 2005 (OCL)
South Africa First semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: Continuation of first-year psychology topics: developmental psychology and biological psychology. Developmental psychology encompasses physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes across the life span and how these are shaped by macrosystems such as culture, and microsystems such as peers and the family. Biological psychology includes states of consciousness, mental disorders and addiction, mechanisms and disorders of learning and memory, and the regulation of emotional and motivated states. The laboratory program complements the lectures, and provides further training in research techniques, report writing, oral presentations and teamwork. Compulsory weekend school for OCL students.

Objectives: On completion of this unit, students will have: 1. learned how human behaviour, both simple and complex, is underpinned by physiological and neural processes; 2. acquired an understanding of the interplay between local and distal, and familial and cultural, factors in determining the course of development from birth through to old age; and 3. developed more advanced skills in report writing.

Assessment: Examination (2 hours, multiple-choice): 60% (50% lecture content + 10% laboratory content) + Two assignments : 15% (Developmental research proposal) and 25% (Biological lab report) + Hurdle requirement: 75% lab attendance

Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and the equivalent of one 2-hour laboratory per week

Off-campus attendance requirements: Compulsory attendance at weekend schools is required for all off-campus students.

Prerequisites: PSY1011 and PSY1022

Corequisites: PSY2051